Chapter 2: A Detective's Ghost
It was around 2 in the morning when Sherlock finally dragged himself to bed, not bothering to change into his pyjamas and just laid on the bed in his suit shit and trousers, closing his eyes tiredly,
"You really need to get more sleep you know" a voice said causing Sherlock's eyes to shoot open and he sat up, looking around the room quickly but saw no one and he stood after a moment, moving into the living area and found the telly on, remembering that he forgot to turn it off,
"I must be more tired than I thought" the detective murmured to himself before turning the telly off,
"Yeah because you work yourself way too hard" the voice said once more making Sherlock turn quickly and found a young lady sitting in John's chair reading the works of Shakespeare,
"Who are you?" Sherlock demanded,
"How did you get in here?" he asked firmly and the young lady giggled and Sherlock's eyes widened as the book suddenly vanished from her hands as she stood,
"You know too well that I am wherever you are, William. Whenever you need me that is" The lady said gently with a kind smile but the detective's firm expression remained,
"My name is Sherlock" he corrected firmly earning another giggle,
"Perhaps... But you will always be William to me" she responded with a soft smile and Sherlock looked at her cautiously for a moment before realising,
"Molly" he murmured and watched as she nodded but Sherlock shook his head,
"This isn't possible. You're just a figment of my childish thoughts. How is it that you've grown?" he demanded and Molly giggled again,
"You're mind has aged Sherlock and for every moment your mind ages. So do I. You should know that" she explained gently and Sherlock frowned,
"Why are you here?" he asked and Molly smiled softly,
"I'm always here when you need me, William. Now it's time for you to get some sleep" she instructed gently before leading him to bed and Sherlock sleepily obeyed, nodding slowly as he lied down and she tucked him in,
"My name is Sherlock" he murmured, his eyes growing heavy and saw Molly smile,
"Would you prefer it if I call you that?" she asked and the detective nodded slowly as he drifted off to sleep,
"Goodnight Sherlock" Molly whispered as sleep overtook him completely.
When Sherlock woke the next morning, he found no trace of Molly so brushed off her appearance as a dream formed by the memories ignited by the sight of his childhood drawing,
"You alright, mate?" John asked that evening when they were examining a crime scene and Sherlock came back to reality before nodding,
"Yes... So, Mrs Johnson. Are you sure you did not just misplace your diamond necklace?" Sherlock asked the old lady sitting in her chair before turning to examine the room and felt his stomach drop at the sight of Molly leaning casually against the fireplace and wiggled her fingers at him greeting with a smug smile,
"I'm telling you. My son took them. He's trying to make me look crazy so he can get access to my accounts" The old lady told Sherlock as she had already told the officers and Sherlock eyes were wide as he watched Molly nod,
"My mother is confused Mr Holmes. I would never do anything like that" Mrs Johnson's son said and Sherlock watched Molly shake her head,
"Liar" He heard her say and Sherlock could only make a humming sound as if not to look crazy,
"Oh come on Sherlock. You're clever. You saw the receipt from that security business on the coffee table. It was signed by her son. Ask them about it" Molly pressed and Sherlock was unsure but turned,
"Have you had any security added to your house recently, Mrs Johnson?" Sherlock asked and watched the old lady shake her head,
"No, I haven't. Why do you ask?" she replied and Sherlock looked puzzled as Molly smirked,
"Well that's funny because you have a receipt here from a security here for a wall safe" Sherlock pointed out picking up the receipt from under some post and Mrs Johnson's son rushed forward,
"Actually that's mine" he defended quickly,
"That's funny because the address listed is this property... Where's the wall safe, Mr Johnson?" Sherlock demanded firmly causing Mr Johnson to look even more guilty,
"I... I really don't know what you're talking about" he replied,
"I am not a patient man Mr Johnson. You wouldn't like to waste my time" Sherlock warned, turned and saw Molly point to a portrait on the wall above the sofa,
"If you don't tell me then I'll find it myself" Sherlock continued simply,
"I don't know what you're talking about. I've done nothing wrong" the man defended firmly and Sherlock groaned before moving towards the portrait,
"You leave that alone" Mr Johnson ordered but Sherlock swung the painting out the way to reveal a wall safe,
"You'll find your necklace in there, safe and in tact, Mrs Johnson. I'll send some officers in to retrieve it for you. Good day" he bid before leaving followed quickly by John and Molly vanished with a soft smile.
It was after John left to go home to Mary and Rosie when Sherlock finally looked up from his microscope,
"Molly?" he called hesitantly and watched her appear, sitting in the seat across from his own and she smiled at him softly,
"Why?... Why did you help me?" Sherlock asked and Molly placed her transparent hand over his gently,
"Because even the great Sherlock Holmes needs help sometimes... You've been lost since the discovery of what really happened to Red Beard and I know it effected you greatly. I think that's why I'm needed here right now" she said gently,
"I'm your friend Sherlock. Don't push me away" she said gently and Sherlock sighed,
"Very well... But I have conditions... When I find myself surrounded by others could you...?" he began,
"Make myself scares and only speak when you need me too?" she finished with a giggle,
"Of course, Sherlock. I'm here to make your life easier not harder" she assured before vanishing and left him in peace to finish his experiment.
How are you enjoying Sherlock and Molly's friendship? Let me know in the reviews to unlock chapter 3!
Kind Regards,
TheAuthor1996
